Passenger rights

Europe has experienced a boom in mobility over the last decades. To protect citizens and to ensure they are not lost in national rules, the EU has adopted community legislation covering passenger rights – across all transport modes.

Did something go wrong with your trip? Have you experienced delays and cancellations? Do you have special mobility needs? As an air, rail, ship or bus passenger, you have rights when travelling in the European Union.

EU passenger rights are adapted to each means of transport, but in essence, the rights that apply to all types of transport are comparable. They are based on three key principles: non-discrimination; accurate, timely and accessible information; immediate and proportionate assistance. These principles are the foundation for ten basic rights that form the core of EU passenger rights policy.

A very useful Passenger Rights smart phone application available in 22 languages, helps travellers easily access their rights while on the move – the best way to have Your Passenger Rights at Hand!

More on air passenger rights | rail passenger rights | bus and coach passenger rights | ship passenger rights | rights of travellers with reduced mobility

A Eurobarometer survey (2024) found that 73% of EU citizens used at least one mode of transport over the past 12 months, most often local urban transport (52%), followed by rail (33%), air (23%), coach (14%), and ship or ferry services (8%). Awareness of passenger rights remains limited: 33% of respondents are aware of their rights when travelling by rail, 30% by air, 27% by coach, and 16% by ship or ferry. Nearly half of rail passengers (47%) and three in ten air passengers (30%) experienced at least one disruption to their journey during the past year, most commonly departure delays.

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, oversees the portfolio that includes EU transport and tourism policy.